Richard Walsh

Taunton Deane’s first team were bowled out for 139 against a strong Lansdown side, but disciplined bowling and excellent fielding kept the visitors at the crease for nearly 47 overs before they secured victory. Jack Blackwell was the standout performer, taking four of Lansdown’s top five wickets for 22 runs. Lansdown need one more win for promotion. Other Taunton Deane teams had several notable individual performances but mostly suffered defeats, while the sixth team secured a comprehensive win after Albie Blackwell scored 50 and Lily Blackwell took five wickets.

Taunton St Andrews B maintained its promotion push in Somerset Cricket League Division 7 with a two-wicket victory over Wellington Thirds, securing its eighth win of the season. Saints Seconds also won, defeating Bridgwater Thirds by 163 runs after posting 248 for nine and bowling their opponents out for 85. The Saints First XI remain in relegation trouble in WEPL Premier Two after losing to Downend by 108 runs despite Harry Everard’s century, while Saints Thirds lost to Yeovil Royal Blasters after making 163.

Somerset's Under-16 girls secured two T20 victories over Gloucestershire, winning by seven wickets and six wickets at Downside School. The Under-18 team also achieved two T20 wins against Worcestershire, including a successful chase and a commanding 198 for 2. Somerset's Under-18 County Cup campaign ended in the last 16, however, after Hampshire chased 176 to win by four wickets at Taunton Cricket Club.

Somerset Disabled Cricket Club have reached the ECB South West D40 League national semi-finals after topping the table and winning all but one of their fixtures. They will face Yorkshire at Kidderminster CC on 19 August, with the winner progressing to the national final. Oli, Jacob and Joe have delivered notable batting and bowling performances, while the club credits players, families, carers, coaches and volunteers for its success. The Somerset Cricket Foundation continues to expand disability cricket opportunities for people aged 12 and over and is seeking further partners, volunteers and financial support.

Taunton St Andrews First XI lost to Clevedon by 50 runs despite centuries from Louis Dupont and Khyyam Khan, leaving the Saints facing continued relegation pressure. Clevedon scored 316 for 8, with Khan making 139, before Taunton St Andrews were dismissed for 266. The Saints Seconds also lost to Wembdon Seconds by 34 runs, while Saints A suffered a heavy defeat against Lydford and Saints B lost to Taunton Deane Fifths by 46 runs.

Taunton Deane’s cricket teams recorded several notable results while playing at relocated and opposing venues. The Seconds won their top-of-the-table match against Lympsham & Belvedere by six wickets, while the Thirds secured a close victory over Bishops Hull and the Fifths defeated Taunton St Andrew’s by 46 runs. The First XI beat Weston-super-Mare by 162 runs, with debutant Jayden Cruickshank taking three wickets and earning Player of the Day recognition. The win kept Taunton Deane second in WEPL 2 behind Lansdown and in contention for promotion.

Somerset's youth cricket pathway is producing strong results, led by 16-year-old left-arm spinner Mo Kaleem's match figures of 11 wickets against Worcestershire. Somerset Under 18s won that match by 232 runs, then reached the ECB County Cup final after beating Middlesex by 128 runs and will face Yorkshire in Leicestershire on August 31. The Under 16 side also defeated Hampshire by four wickets, with notable bowling performances from Sam Harvey Knight and Harvey Bird.

Taunton Deane Cricket Club enjoyed a strong weekend, with four of its six sides winning. The second XI secured the County Intermediate Cup at Somerset’s County Ground, defeating Cleeve by 92 runs after scoring 209 and bowling the opposition out for 117. Jack Blackwell led the batting with 70 from 34 balls, while Connor Chilcott took five wickets. Other notable performances included James Perry’s 133 for the thirds, Sakuna’s unbeaten 88 for the first XI, and Nic Viljoen’s unbeaten 77 for the seconds, whose league victory maintained their position at the top and strengthened their promotion hopes.

Taunton St Andrews B secured their seventh win of the season by defeating Bishops Hull Seconds by four wickets, with Tim Cohen taking 5 for 18 and contributing 21 runs before Barry Cohen finished unbeaten on 35. The club's First XI lost to Golden Hill after Harawan Wassam's unbeaten 106, while Saints Seconds were beaten by Lympsham and Belvedere and Saints A lost to Taunton Indians Seconds in SCL Division 5 South.

Taunton St Andrews Cricket Club held its junior presentation night at the Wyvern Club to recognise a successful season. The Under-15 Lions won both the Somerset and Taunton and District Youth Cricket League Cups, while the Under-13s also won a league cup. Awards were presented by Somerset cricketer Thomas Rew and retiring club stalwart Martin Baldock, with individual honours given to players across the under-15, under-13 and under-11 teams.

Verity Clarke took 7 for 28 as Somerset’s Girls Under-18 team dismissed Wiltshire for 179 but fell 11 runs short while chasing. The report also details Somerset victories over Cornwall and Devon, including Mila Brooke’s five-wicket haul and centuries from Florie Weare and Imogen Dunne in the Under-14 competition.

Sir Christopher Ondaatje, a former Blundell’s School pupil and major philanthropist, is remembered by Somerset cricket for donating £200,000 toward the club’s indoor school, pavilion and Centre of Excellence. The Ondaatje Pavilion and related facilities were opened in 1995, and he later served as Somerset County Cricket Club’s patron. His wider support included Blundell’s School, Lynton and Lynmouth Cricket Club and the Devon Cricket Centre at Exeter University. Former Somerset chairman Richard Parsons described him as the club’s most generous benefactor in many years and praised his kindness.

Andy Sapey, a Trull Cricket Club player in Somerset, has been selected for England Over 60s after impressing selectors at a trial. The 60-plus all-rounder has already played against Wales and Western Australia and is in strong local form, including scores of 102 not out, 93 not out and 59. Sapey says the England setup is highly professional and that he is determined to make the most of the opportunity, although players must fund their own kit. Local bat maker Millichamp and Hall has supported him with equipment.

Ged Williams-Pritchard scored a record-breaking 221 from 93 balls, including 15 sixes and 26 fours, as Taunton St Andrews Seconds defeated Castle Cary by 215 runs in the Somerset Cricket League Premier Division. Taunton St Andrews also won matches in Divisions 5 and 7, while the club’s First XI lost to Old Bristolians Westbury by four wickets.

Somerset Disabled CC defeated Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation D40 by 108 runs in a National Disabled Cricket League D40 Pursuit fixture at the Cooper Associates County Ground. Somerset scored 284 for 5 from 40 overs, with major contributions from Nick, Oli and Zach, before restricting Gloucestershire to 176 for 8. Joe took four wickets for eight runs, while James claimed two wickets. The club thanked the ground and operations staff and appealed to organizations and businesses for sponsorship and financial support.

Taunton Deane’s 1st and 2nd XIs secured strong league wins to maintain their positions at the top of their divisions. A 260‑run partnership between Sakuna Liyanage and Harry Smith powered the 1sts to 328, followed by a dominant bowling display that produced a 196‑run victory over Old Bristolians. The 2nds successfully chased 235 at Castle Cary, led by a 152‑run stand from Josh Cobb and Alfie Jaques, with Benny Jessop finishing the job. Both sides remain narrowly ahead in tightly contested leagues as they prepare for next weekend’s fixtures.

Somerset strengthened their squad for the Metro Bank One Day Cup by signing 23‑year‑old batter Johnny Connell, who has recently delivered strong performances for Sussex Seconds and Berkshire. Connell joins to cover gaps left by players involved in The Hundred and expressed enthusiasm about the unexpected opportunity. Somerset will begin their campaign against Nottinghamshire with Jake Ball captaining the 50‑over squad.

Somerset Pathway teams delivered strong performances across multiple ECB youth competitions, highlighted by standout batting efforts from Bertie Michael, Charlotte Webber, Ava Pike and others, as well as effective bowling contributions that secured victories for several age groups.

A Taunton student, Felix Step, spent a week of work experience with bat makers Millichamp & Hall, helping design kits, refurbish bats and prepare equipment that will be donated to township cricketers in South Africa. He valued the hands‑on work and hopes for a future career in sport, possibly involving numbers or design.